NJ’s Controversial Black Bear Hunt Starts Today [AUDIO]

The initial results of a five-year Comprehensive Black Bear Management Policy (CBBMP) initiated by the Department of Environmental Protection in 2010, offering a mix of education, research and trash management, combined with an annual bear hunt, shows a reduction in the number of black bears living in "bear country'' in Northern New Jersey and a major decline in bear-human incidents, Commissioner Bob Martin announced.

Stacy Proebstle, Townsquare Media

A conservative estimate places the number of black bears living in the northwestern portion of New Jersey at a range of about 2,800 to 3,000, which is down from an estimated 3,400 when the CBBMP was approved by the state Fish and Game Council in 2010.

Meanwhile, reported bear sightings are down 34 percent this year, black bear damage and nuisance complaints are down 26 percent, and Category One calls (dangerous bear incidents) are down 43 percent through the end of October, compared to the same time period in 2011.

"We have been following through on all facets of our comprehensive black bear management policy, which not only protects the public but also safeguards our black bear population,'' said Commissioner Martin. "The early results of this coordinated effort are promising. But we must stay the course on our comprehensive policy to further reduce bear and human encounters and property damage, while easing public concerns."

The majority of black bears in New Jersey live in a 1,000 square-mile hunting area north of Interstate 78 and west of Interstate 287, with the population highest in the northwest corner of the state, which has one of the highest black bear densities in the nation. There also are a much smaller but growing and uncounted number of bears in the rest of New Jersey's 21 counties, with more reports of bear sightings in recent years in central and southern portions of the state.

"We are working to stabilize and reduce the state's black bear population, to eventually be maintained at a density that minimizes human/bear conflicts, provides for a sustainable population within suitable bear habitat, and minimizes movement of bears to unsuitable habitat in suburban and urban areas,'' said Dave Chanda, Director of the DEP's Division of Fish and Wildlife.

It also includes an annual hunt, an integral part of the CBBMP, and which is the only effective means known to reduce the black bear population to manageable levels -- a tool successfully employed by neighboring states.

The bear hunt will run this year starting Monday, Dec. 3 through Saturday, Dec. 8, to be held concurrently with the state's six-day firearm deer hunting season.

Bear hunting zones include large sections of Morris, Sussex, Warren, and northern Passaic counties, plus smaller areas of Hunterdon, Somerset and Bergen counties. Licensed hunters with a black bear permit are limited to taking one bear during the six-day season.

More than 6,500 bear hunting permits have been issued so far in 2012. DEP biologists predict a hunt result similar to 2011, when more than 9,000 permits were issued and 469 bears were harvested. About 20 percent of harvested bears in 2011 were considered nuisance bears that had caused property damage and/or were involved in bear-human incidents, generating many of the public complaints.

Opponents say they plan to hold protests on the first and last days of the hunt.

"Its a bait and shoot hunt and there are hardly any black bears left in New Jersey as it is..they are on the brink of extermination so it will be interesting to see how many bears are killed this year" said Susan Russell, wildlife specialist for the BEAR Group.